DOUBLE AGENT

US, 1987, 100 minutes, Colour.
Michael Mc Kean, Lloyd Bochner, John Putch.
Directed by Mike Vejar.

Double Agent is a Disney telemovie with emphasis on espionage and the ordinary citizen becoming involved in undercover work. Michael McKean? is Jason, the top American spy, as well as his twin brother Warren, an expert vet. When Jason disappears, the agency asks Warren to take his place, assuring him that nothing can go wrong. Of course, it does - and Warren comes out tops. The film is aimed at a young audience ~ but tolerant adults would enjoy sitting through it with their children. John Putch is the comic relief as the would be spy, Abercrombie, and Lloyd Bochner is the control. It is a lively action adventure - with a climax of mishaps, chases and accidents.

1. Entertaining Disney spy thriller? Comedy touches? For the whole family?

2. Stunts and special effects, the world of spies, the city and warehouses, the contrast with restaurants, homes and laboratories? Car chases? Musical score?

3. The theme of twins taking each others place as double agents?

4. Jason, his work, cover, contact with Scorpion, the exchange of documents? The KGB in pursuit? Igor and the fight? Jason's disappearance? His reputation, the capital control wanting Warren to take his place? The truth about his disappearance and the ransom?

5. The contrast with Warren, swimmer, holding his breath - and family life, easy home scenes? Children? Melville and her being cantankerous - and her father soothing her problems? His loving wife? (His wife at work, Harriet and her insinuations, the wife never suspicious about her husband's emergencies until the end, believing Melville's explanation, meeting the control, thinking she had won the lottery - and going to Paris)? The contrast with the easy scenes at home. the meals. after all the exciting incidents. Warren having to become normal?

6. The control. his persuading Warren to take Jason’s place? His interventions? Abercrombie as the back-up.- as the waiter, as the clown, as the worker? His quote in classes - and getting everything mixed up? His role in the final chase and overcoming of the villains?

7. The Scorpion, her concealed identity, sell-out? Memories of Madrid? Warning Jason, Igor pursuing him. the fight? The two KGB spies in her pay? The confrontation, Warren escaping, the adventures - and her going into the bay?

8. Warren, the dangers, assuming his brother's identity? Contact lenses, car? The restaurant and the fight? Surveillance of him at home? Meredith and her boyfriend and hurrying them to the fun park? Adventures in the fun park? The final setup, the confrontation, hanging in the warehouse? Warren coming through with flying colours? The prospect of the trip to Paris?

9. Popular ingredients of special agent stories - adapted for the family audience, the humorous aspects, the heroics - without too much blood shed?